Madame Pommery set to contest G1 Epsom Handicap

Posted by RS NewsWire at 6:56am on September 29th

Sophie Baker isn’t a household name in racing, but she is a vital cog in trainer Chris Waller’s team.

She is also an influential part of the story behind Saturday’s Epsom Handicap hopeful Madame Pommery.

Involved with the stable for the past decade, Baker has a hands-on background with horses, but as Waller’s business has grown, so has her role.

From being the champion trainer’s personal assistant to social media manager to a conduit for the mainstream media to looking after owners on race day, Baker is the team’s Girl Friday.

When the chance came to take on another challenge by putting together a group of stable clients in a ladies’ only syndicate and managing it, Baker didn’t hesitate.

“Magic Millions has the huge incentive each year for horses owned exclusively by women, and they’re big on promoting women in racing,” Baker said.

“So we thought, why not get a group of women and put a ladies syndicate together? Stephanie Waller, Chris’ wife, she was keen to be involved, so we went ahead and did it.

“I love it and being involved with the ladies’ horses has given me a new passion.

“We have a couple of ladies’ lunches during the year and the women are all amazing people.”

Once the idea was born, Baker’s next step was to find their first horse.

Together with Waller, racing manager Charlie Duckworth and bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster, the man who picked out Winx, a chestnut filly by No Nay Never was secured at the 2021 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

“Guy Mulcaster is our bloodstock agent and probably the best around, and we’ve got the best trainer around so you can’t really go wrong,” Baker said.

With a horse in hand, Baker then needed a name and she also wanted to give the group a unique identity.

She settled on a champagne theme because “who doesn’t like champagne?”, extending the notion to their racing silks which feature champagne flutes, while the purple and white is a nod to Waller’s stable colours.

“And then she’s got the champagne name, (Madame) Pommery,” Baker said.

It was all fun and games – and then came race day.

In her role with Waller, Baker is at the track most Saturdays, riding the rollercoaster of emotions with the stable’s owners.

That was elevated to another level again when the horse racing was Madame Pommery.

While she doesn’t have a share in the mare, Baker does feel an extra sense of responsibility and connection, not only to the ownership group that backed her, but to the horse.

“I didn’t feel pressure until she got to the races and then I just wanted her to run well, just for the women because they’ve supported me to own this horse,” Baker said.

“And also for the horse. She’s pretty special, everyone loves her in the stable, so you also want her to run well for her.”

Baker need not have worried.

While Madame Pommery didn’t place at her first run, she won her second and at start number seven captured the Group 1 Thousand Guineas.

On Saturday, she tackles the Epsom Handicap, one of Randwick’s famed ‘big miles’ and a race steeped in history and prestige.

It will be a momentous afternoon for her owners and if Madame Pommery happens to win, there will be no debate over the celebratory drink of choice.

“It is such a huge thrill for the ownership group to have a runner in a time-honoured event like the Epsom,” Baker said.

“This horse has already exceeded all expectations and it really is a dream come true.

“Hopefully there will be plenty of Pommery being drunk on Saturday evening.”

More Racing News

Watson plans to Storm Away with the Magic Millions WA Classic

Storm Away delivered a strong first-up performance on debut at Ascot last Saturday. Trained by Mitchell Pateman, the gelding finished second but left a lasting impression despite the narrow defeat. After breaking slowly and racing wide, he surged to the front but was edged out by Monte Tremezzo by a long head. A...

Today

Seven internationals entered for Sydney autumn carnival

Maestro trainer William Haggas is once again setting his sights on Sydney’s prestigious autumn carnival, nominating three of his top runners, including the seasoned Group 1 campaigner, Dubai Honour. Haggas’ trio is part of a strong international contingent, with a total of seven overseas horses being aimed at marquee events. These...

Yesterday

G1 Lightning Stakes ures James McDonald to Melbourne

Top jockey James McDonald receives a flood of ride requests each week from leading stables, especially those based in Sydney. When major races clash between his hometown and Melbourne, deciding where to ride becomes a tough call. This Saturday, McDonald will head to Flemington to partner with the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland in...

Yesterday

Australasian Oaks campaign starts at Flemington

Trainer Dan O’Sullivan is setting his sights on Group 1 glory in Adelaide as his promising filly, Too Darn Discreet, begins her campaign at Flemington. Her ultimate target is the prestigious Australasian Oaks (2000m), scheduled for late April at Morphettville. She kicks off her autumn preparation this Saturday in the Listed...

Yesterday

Ndola out to win family race in CS Hayes Stakes

Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Ben & JD Hayes are still in pursuit of a victory in a race that holds deep significance for their family legacy. Saturday’s Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington is named in honor of their grandfather, Colin Hayes, a Hall of Fame trainer who founded...

Yesterday

Pride excited ahead of Ceolwulf’s return in G2 Apollo Stakes

Via Sistina and Ceolwulf are set to face off for just the second time in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick, a race that could spark a thrilling rivalry throughout the carnival. Both recognized as elite middle-distance runners, they may find the 1400-metre trip of Saturday’s race shorter than ideal. However, their...

Yesterday

Expressway Stakes the ‘Way to go early for Joliestar

Chris Waller’s Apollo Stakes contenders will take center stage at Randwick this Saturday, but the champion trainer also has strong support in the day’s other $300,000 Group 2 races. Joliestar has been entered for the 1400-metre Apollo alongside Via Sistina, Fangirl, and Atishu, but is set to begin her campaign in...

Feb 11th

Black Caviar Lightning Stakes could be the making of Maher’s Empire

The only certainty is that Growing Empire will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. However, the outcome of that race will shape the rest of his season. Trainer Ciaron Maher is eager to secure a maiden Group 1 victory for the son of Zoustar. The three-year-old narrowly...

Feb 11th

Mount Barker Cup continues good times for Madi Derrick

Jockey Madi Derrick continued her impressive run of form, securing a double for trainer Ray Malpass, including a standout victory in the Mount Barker Cup (2000m) on Sunday. Seven-year-old gelding Big Swoop proved too strong for his competitors, rounding off a successful day for Malpass, who also saw Sirota claim a...

Feb 11th

Strideaway set for Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic goal

Trainer Neville Parnham says Strideaway has improved since her perfect return and is spot on to end his Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) hoodoo at Pinjarra on Saturday. A daughter of Alabama Express, Strideaway created a big impression first up and stamped her Magic Millions credentials with authority, gunning down Do...

Feb 11th